Pistons at Jazz
THE STORY: The Utah
Jazz are hoping that returning home will allow them to rejoin the
playoff chase. The Detroit Pistons are hoping that leaving home doesn't
knock them out of it. Utah, coming off a five-game road trip, will look
to continue its dominance in the series when it hosts the Pistons on
Monday. The Jazz have won 11 of the last 12 meetings with Detroit,
including eight straight in Salt Lake City. The Pistons are seeking
their second four-game winning streak of the season.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS Detroit (Pistons), ROOT Sports (Jazz)
ABOUT THE PISTONS (15-26):
Detroit has inched back into the Eastern Conference postseason hunt,
trailing eighth-place New York by only three games. The schedule will
test the Pistons, who are kicking off a five-game road trip and will
play nine of the next 10 away from home. That is an ominous sign for a
team that has the second-fewest road wins (3-18). Guard Rodney Stuckey
had 20 points to lead five players in double figures in Saturday’s
105-86 rout of Toronto. He is averaging 22.5 points in his last 11.
ABOUT THE JAZZ (19-21):
One area of concern for Utah is its outside shooting – or lack thereof.
They failed to make a 3-pointer and attempted only three in Saturday's
111-97 loss at Chicago. “We’ve got to find some way to be able to have
an outside threat,” forward Gordon Hayward said. “You can’t make threes
if you don’t shoot ’em.” Another budding issue is shooting guard Raja
Bell, who missed Saturday's game because of an “internal” matter. He
scored eight points in his previous three games.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Jazz are 27-4 at home against Detroit since 1980. The Pistons haven't won in Utah since Nov. 6, 2002.
2. Pistons forward Tayshaun Prince needs 11 points to reach 9,000 for his career. Saturday was the 700th game of his career.
3.
Jazz point guard Devin Harris missed Saturday's game with a stomach
virus. ... Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva (ankle) played 3 1/2
minutes, his first action since Jan. 4. He has appeared in three games
for a total of nine minutes and has yet to score this season.